The 3-Minute Sketchbook

The title of this book does not lie: within the Three-Minute Sketchbook are sketches done by comics pros (of the caliber of Neal Adams, Frank Cho, Michael Turner, and more) within the time frame of three minutes. These sketches were collected by comics fan Michael Finn and donated to the HERO Initiative, a federally chartered charity which helps comic book creators in need. As such, the proceeds of this book go to that charity, which is in itself a great reason to purchase it. But the sketches, too, are wonderful: it’s amazing what some artists can do in three minutes. John Romita Jr., for instance, turns out a picture featuring Spider-Man, Captain America, and the Hulk that looks pretty darn good, and Bob Layton does an Iron Man that looks complete. Some of these sketches are incredibly funny: Scott Kurtz of the web comic PVP turns in a frustrated-looking Red Sonja who would fit right in his comic world, while Strangers in Paradise’s Terry Moore sketches his character Francine in a bra, noting on the sketch “no time for shirt!”. The book not only supports a great cause, it’s also a fascinating look at the artistic process of some of the top talents in the field.